Paying for your Post-Secondary Plans
Need help completing your FAFSA PHS Student Ambassador FAFSA Video
Virtual Financial Aid Webinars
Students and families interested in learning about financial aid basics are encouraged to register for a virtual financial aid presentation provided by the MI Student Aid team.
Participants will be able to gather information on the following financial aid topics:
- FAFSA application information
- Federal financial aid programs
- State financial aid programs
- Scholarship searching resources
There are multiple dates and times to choose from and all sessions are free of charge and open to the public. Register for one session only, as space is limited.
Sources of Funding and Helpful Tips
MCAN Michigan College Scholarship Links
MCAN Michigan College Response Guide with Scholarship Links
College Scorecard
Comparing Financial Aid Package
Glossary of Terms - Paying for Post-Secondary Education
Going Merry Scholarships
MI Student Aid
Sallie Mae - Paying for College Resource
Sallie Mae - Scholarship Search
Scholarship Link 23/24
Tuition Estimation
Types of Aid
US Department of Education - Net Price Calculator
Affordability and Scholarships searching
Michigan Top 50 Jobs through 2028
Creating your FAFSA ID
Creating your FAFSA ID
The 2025-2026 FAFSA is now open. Before you start you and all who will contribute information on the FAFSA will need to create a FSA ID. If you already have a FSA ID, you don't need a new one.
Getting this step done now will save you time later. Be sure to save your ID and password.
Video tutorial
Site to Create your FAFSA ID
Accessing your FAFSA Application
What is the Student Aid Index or SAI?
What is an SAI
- Replaces the Expected Family Contribution (EFC)
- Determines Federal Pell Grant eligibility
- Determines federal loan offers and work study funding
How will eligibility for federal student aid be expanded?
Eligibility for federal student aid will be expanded in the following ways:
- New methodology will be introduced to calculate and determine applicant eligibility. The Expected Family Contribution (EFC) will be replaced with the Student Aid Index (SAI).
- The new need-analysis formula allows for a negative SAI calculation and implements separate eligibility criteria for Federal Pell Grants.
- Federal Pell Grant access will be expanded and linked to family size and federal poverty levels, which will allow more students and families from low-income backgrounds to qualify.
- Federal Pell Grant access will be restored to incarcerated students under specific rules and programs.
- Selective Service and drug conviction questions will be eliminated to reduce applicant barriers.
Can I estimate how much aid I will receive?
Federal Aid Estimator
When is the FAFSA due?
Will I need to consent for my IRS information to be used for FAFSA if I didn't file taxes?
Consenting to share your IRS information
- Yes. Everyone needs to consent regardless of filing or citizenship status
- If you didn't file taxes or you filed taxes in another country you still need to consent
- If your information is unavailable from the IRS, you will be asked to add it manually.
Can my parents get a FSA ID if they do not have a Social Security number?
Creating a FSA ID without a SSN
All parents who need to contribute information to the FAFSA can get a FSA ID, even if they don't have a SSN. They will be asked several identifying questions by TransUnion, a credit agency that will be serving to confirm the identity of anyone without an SSN. These questions will be based on information they can find on a credit report (Ex: What is the make/model of the car with a loan you are currently paying?).
